The Torah, which is made up of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, is the holiest scripture in Judaism. The Torah typically appears in the form of a scroll and is inscribed on parchment from a ritually clean animal. In the synagogue, Torah scrolls are stored in an ark. There are several liturgical objects which are used in association with the Torah during the synagogue service. These accroutements include the following: finials, Torah crowns, Torah mantles, breastplates, and Torah binders. Finials or rimmonim are often placed untop of the staves of the Torah scroll. Sometimes, however, Torah crowns rather than finials adorn the stave. The Torah mantle (parokhet) is a cloth which is used to cover the Torah. On top of the mantle, a metallic breastplate normally appears. Torah binders are used to wrap around the scroll and marks the section which was last read. As it is forbidden to touch the parchment of the Torah while reading it, a pointer or yad ("hand") is used by the reader so that he or she will not lose his or her place.

Torah Ark	Torah Mantle	Torah Crown	Torah Binder

Torah finials	Torah Breast Plate	Torah Breast Plate and Finials

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